Russell Branyan hits a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Adam Dunn in the fourth inning Saturday. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        Views of Branyan — So, the Reds are going to take a chance on straightening out Russell Branyan's swing. What might they be in for? Here's some clues from Branyan's former club, the Cleveland Indians, as reported in the Akron Beacon-Journal:

        Indians general manager Mark Shapiro: “This is not something I feel great about doing. I've known Russell since he was 18. But I didn't feel that we had the luxury of waiting for him any longer. His inconsistency at the plate was magnified because of the team's inconsistency on offense.”

        Indians manager Charlie Manuel: “I always liked the way Russell hit the ball. In parts of four or five years up here, we always said we wanted to give him a chance. But at some point, he had to make more contact. His approach to hitting would change a lot, sometimes every at-bat. He would get everyone's opinion. He had a hard time staying with something.”

        In 50 games this season, mostly in left field, Branyan batted .205 with eight homers, 17 RBI and 65 strikeouts in 161 at-bats.

        In 2001, he struck out 132 times in only 315 at-bats, and the previous year, Branyan whiffed 76 times in 193 at-bats.

Catching on

        Reds manager Bob Boone and Anaheim Angels manager Mike Scioscia are two of 10 former big-league catchers now managing in the majors. Of the 10, only Joe Torre's New York Yankees and Bob Brenly's Arizona Diamondbacks have better records than Scioscia's Angels and Boone's Reds.

        “Boone's got a great baseball mind; baseball runs in his family,” Scioscia said before the game. “If you ever have a conversation with Bob about baseball, you can sense his passion for the game. He's got his club going in the right direction.”

Quote of the week

        Bob Boone, on the fact that his team won't play Cleveland in interleague play for the first time this year: “We only got to play the Indians when they were good.”

The week ahead

               Today: At Anaheim, 4:05 p.m.
       Monday: At Texas, 8:05 p.m.
       Tuesday: At Texas, 8:05 p.m.
       Wednesday: At Texas, 8:05 p.m.
       Thursday: Off
       Friday: Home vs. Pittsburgh, 7:10 p.m.
       Saturday: Home vs. Pittsburgh, 7:10 p.m.

The skinny

        Interleague fun continues this week against Alex Rodriguez and the highly paid, highly underachieving Rangers. Later in the week, it's back home and back to the NL Central with the Pirates. Remember how they and the Reds were the two Cinderella teams in April? Well now the Buccos are below .500.

Reds 4, Angels 3 Reds box, runs Reds Q & A Encarnacion fitting right in with Reds Encarnacion hit by ball in practice Griffey's hamstring injury not too serious Reds chatter Cinergy Moment No. 24. - July 22, 1986 Down on the farm Louisville 9, Pawtucket 0 Ramirez closer to returning to Red Sox Saturday roundup John Fay's MLB rankings Notes from Saturday's games

Milford makes statement
Time for football in June
7 athletes strong, Middies win title
Area runners come close, fall short
CovCath exploits LexCath errors
Richards finishes run to the top
Sycamore stopped 1 step from title
Norwood star signs with UC
Prep schedules
McDuffie sues Dolphins doctors
Born to be rivals, they fought for keeps too late
Lewis knocks out Tyson
Marion Jones wins 100 easily into tough wind
Saturday's NCAA Super Regionals
Croatia stuns Italy
U.S. team to enter red cauldron against South Korea
World Cup TV schedule
Attendance, handle records smashed at Belmont Stakes
War Emblem falls short in Triple Crown bid
Defense making the difference for Lakers
Nets hope familiar surroundings help Martin, Van Horn
Nets shooting woes have to end
Da Matta gets first pole at Monterey
GROESCHEN: Cup drivers to highlight Busch race
Marlin shows speed at drying Pocono
Montoya beats Schumacher in record qualifying
Ward wins Boomtown 500
Daniel on verge of major victory
Golf scores
Hiring Trottier a gutsy move
Lidstrom, Hedican win ironman awards
Red Wings 3, Hurricanes 2, 3 OT
Ferrero, Costa meet in all-Spanish final
Serena 'one-hit wonder' no more
At home on the high seas
Coming up this week
Enquirer Page Two power rankings

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